The Lasting Legacy Of The Toronto Invictus Games

Thu, 09/11/2017 - 16:38

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The Invictus Games may be over for another year but that doesn't stop the legacy of the games being an important focus for the organisers.

Invictus Games Toronto 2017 chief executive officer (CEO), Michael Burns has been chatting with Forces Radio BFBS broadcaster Hal Stewart about the impact the event has had on his home nation of Canada and across the wider world.

"The national polling that we took shortly after the games I think underscores the impact that these games had... on the public."

"How inspired and motivated they were to watch what these men and women were able to achieve just by getting to the games and their ability to overcome insurmountable odds."

Research has suggested that the games fundamentally shifted the way people view and support veterans, servicemen and women.

The poll revealed some remarkable statistics. Before it was announced that the Invictus Games were coming to Canada the poll asked Canadians if they knew what they were and in early 2016 only 5% were familiar with the idea. Within 18 months that number soared to 84% of awareness across Canada.

One of the main points of interest for Michael was seeing how the awareness of mental health had increased.

"There are very few people in this country of 34 million people who aren't aware or who were not following and watching these incredible competitors compete here in Toronto."

The research is in and we couldn’t be prouder! #IG2017 transformed lives and transformed nations, giving Canadians a better understanding of the challenges that service members and veterans face post-service ?? For more, see the research summary here: https://t.co/BqUUd2yKFXpic.twitter.com/4VP8FbZrHZ